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The Ho's Of Batu Gajah - Ho Pan Thong
Ho Pan Thong, born in 1907, the first son of Ho Yuk Phooi, started his education in Batu Gajah, but in 1929 took the big step of going to London to study law at the University of London and Middle Temple. While there he became President of the London Chinese Students' Union, a post he held for two years. Graduating in 1933, he returned to Malaya and was called to the Federated Malay States Bar in 1934.
Back home he partnered Chan Kye Choo and founded the legal firm Chan and Ho whose offices were at 29, Station Road, Ipoh with a second office at 40, Kota Road, Taiping, wher Pan Thong spent most of his time, becoming a member of Larut and Matang Sanitary Board and the Taiping Town Planning Committee. Active in many fields he also took on the role of Honorary Secretary of the Taiping Rotary Club.
A public spirited young man, with war looming he also joined the First Federated Malay States Volunteer Reserve wher he served with the 8th Platoon of 'B' Company. Today these volunteers are remembered by the Malayan Volunteers Group.
Although surviving the Japanese invasion, fate took a hand during the occupation for on 1 February 1943, Ho Pan Thong passed away from nasopharyngeal cancer, mainly due to the lack of suitable medicines to treat the disease. He was only 34 years old.
To read more about Ho Yuk Phooi and his family, click here.